USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical > Part 2
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
CHAPTER I.
Introduction, addressed to the youth of Vermont .- The natural conduct of children, often deviated from in youth and middle age .- The natural order to be pursued by them in the pursuit of knowledge .- The examination of things around them, and the scenery of their own State, claim their first attention .- The peculiar circumstances of their state in its establishment .- Its early history .- Its early fathers and magistrates subjects of study to them and veneration .- Its remembrance of the founders of their state, and gratitude for the blessings and privi- leges left them to be cultivated .- Past records of their state place before them the strongest incentives to mental cultivation .- The diffusion of knowledge, to the fear and love of God .- To preserve and enhance their heritage ; cherish the love of liberty .- Imbibe manly sentiments, and exhibit a manly deport- ment, cultivate physical energy and mental independence .- They place before them motives of the strongest kind to pre- serve hardihood of character .- To keep possession of and not desert the hills cleared by their fathers .- To render their state reputable and honorable in the view of other communities .- To cherish and encourage literature and literary men, and those of their own countries, rather than those of foreign countries.
CHILDREN seek an acquaintance first with the things immediately around them. They look at the candle
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which gives them light,-the fire which warms them, and the vessel from which they receive their food and drink. Domestic animals early attract their attention ; the dog, the cat, the barn-yard fowls ; the crowing of the cock, the lowing of the kine, and the bleating of the flocks. Their parents, and all the members of the family interest them ; and they imperceptibly become familiar with their looks and gestures, and the tones of their voices. As they increase in years and stature, they extend their views to objects more distant ; to the green hills and vallies around them; to the woodland and forests. The singing of the birds, and whistling of the wind catch their ears, and fill their minds. They look attentively at the lofty house ; and at the spires and turrets, which adorn churches. They begin to eye with emotion the distant horizon ; the blue hills which limit their sight ; the setting sun ; the rising moon and twink- ling stars.
This is natural ; and by such gradations their views are imperceptibly extended, and their minds enlarged. The contrary would be unnatural. That is, it would be a transgression of order, for them to close their eyes and stop their ears on the objects, and to the sounds near and around them; and strive to look first at things far distant: to view the mountain prospect, and scan the wonders of the sky ;' to measure the other bodies of the solar system before taking a view of the one on which they were born ; and listen to the murmurs and thunders of heaven, before heeding the songs of their mothers ; and understanding the accents and motions of their fathers and kindred.
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Equally natural and becoming would it be for the youth of a community to become acquainted first with the history of their native State ; the time and circum- stances of its settlement ; by whom, and the difficulties encountered and overcome in doing it. They should take pleasure in making themselves acquainted with the progress in subduing the forests, and rendering the soil feasible and productive, with the increase of its popula- tion ; and the improvements in the arts and sciences. The melioration of society in manners and morals ; in accommodations and refinements, in morality and religion, should not be overlooked by them. With important early events, either of a physical or moral nature ; either of a civil or military character, they should be familiar. With the features of its primitive government ; the changes and modifications through which it may have passed, with the principal legal requisitions and prohi- bitions, and of the character of its chief magistrates they should not be ignorant." The leading traits of character in its inhabitants, their predecessors ; their virtues and chief excellencies and ruling passions, not omitting their foibles and defects, as incentives to amendment, should be looked out and well scanned by them.
Having done this, they may extend their researches and inquiries to other states, and to the nation. A general knowledge of the history of the states composing. this great Republic, and of the republic itself as a whole is an object very desirable ; and the youth of Vermont should feel emulous to acquire it. Indeed they need not stop here, but circumstances permitting, can continue
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their researches, till a general comprehensive view of the world be gained by them. With the aid of science they can look at the other planets of the solar system, and at the heavenly bodies, "which rule by day, and give light by night." This would be the natural course of things. But should they shut their eyes on the objects immediately before them, and neglect to examine the records of their own state, and monuments on which are written the names and deeds of their progenitors ; and cultivate an acquaintance first with the events of other states and nations ; the transactions of other gene- rations and deeds of past ages and remote antiquity ; and with regions separated from them by seas and oceans, their course would be preposterous and unnatural. But this doing violence to nature and congruity, is often witnessed : many neglecting what is of easy access and most valuable, for that which is difficult and remote, and less useful when reached. In estimating the value and excellence of a thing, many are prone to inquire first, if it is of foreign production, from what quarter brought, and at what expense and hazard ! Whatever is of native growth and production, they hastily conclude to be of little value and neglect to examine ; and turn their pursuit after that which is far distant, and associated with names of greater celebrity. This is somewhat characteristic of Americans ; particularly as it regards the productions of the mind, works of literature and science. In some measure also, it is the case relative to history. The history of other countries and ages must be read first, and our own historians and writers
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last, and reluctantly, as we submit to wear home-spun clothes when we can afford no other. This anti-patriotic spirit will, it is hoped, be of short duration ; and coun- teracted, especially by the youth of the green mountain state.
What would you say of a man placed providentially in the midst of beautiful scenery, but who should close his eyes upon it, and fatigue himself in vain to find better views and landscapes in some far distant and unknown regions ? Who from a hasty glance at what was around him, should conclude that the Maker of these things had done better in some other place ; and therefore pay no regard to what he saw, till he had made thorough search for something more excellent, some- where to be seen ? Who should neglect to gaze at the lofty mountains and beautiful vales before him ; overlook the rivers and streams, flowing majestically along their channels, or dashing down in torrents from the neighbor- ing hills ; blink at the variegated hues of the forest ; and stop his ears against the music of birds flitting through woodlands and across his path ? Who should spend his early and best days in search for more elevated mountains ; mightier rivers, more pleasant meadows and vallies ; and sweeter notes from nature's songsters in some other parts of the earth ? Would he not seem to you infatuated ; running counter to the order of nature, and making himself anxious. to little purpose, seek- ing far for that which was near and within his reach ?
Would it not be equally incongruous for you to neg-
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lect and undervalue the rural scenery of your native state ; its variegated, endlessly diversified views and pros- pects, its majestic mountains and beautiful rivers, and its forests cheered with the notes of their own songsters ; and seek an acquaintance with familiar things in other countries, or study first the writings of foreigners, and those, whose opportunities have enabled them to write of far distant places from personal knowledge ?
The peculiar circumstances attending the establishment of Vermont, as an independent state, claim the early attention, and should excite the interest and curiosity of her children.
The acquisition of American Independence is a noble and perpetual theme for the orator and patriot. Ver- mont state sovereignty was an achievement little less glorious ; and ought by her citizens to be viewed as such, and cherished by her latest posterity as an honor- able distinction. She can show on her banner what no other state in the union can : not only freedom from oppression in common with her sister states ; but the badge of her own Independence, established against the conflicting claims of neighboring Republics, and the long interference and interdiction of the national coun- cils. Vermont is indeed small compared with the whole Union, and the measures which resulted in her maintain- ing a place in the Republic ; and the circumstances attending them may be forgotten, or unknown by the citizens generally of the nation. Their interest in them was always comparatively small, and has been growing less and less since the settlement of the difficulties.
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Her success, or failure in her struggles for justice periled the welfare of few, compared with the issue of the war of the Revolution. But the principle was the same, and numbers can never effect the principles of right and justice. In common with their countrymen, Vermonters rejoice in freedom from foreign tyranny as a nation ; and for the smiles of Providence on their own cause in ren- dering them a free and sovereign state. This fact, then, that of her individual State-Independence should be kept in perpetual memory. Her youth should be emulous to make themselves early and well acquainted with the singular complexion of their origin and being ; the manner of their gaining a name and standing on a level with the other republics which form this great empire.
It is always an interesting inquiry relative to any state, nation or important enterprise, what was the character of its origin ? What was the cause which gave rise to it ; what circumstances had a controlling influence on its subsequent destiny ? Battles the most bloody, and events the most important have resulted from trifling incidents that the hand of God in them might be more visible. The wife of Marshal Ney in a thoughtless moment was reproached by the wives of the ancient Bourbon peers of France as upstart nobility. She com- plained of it to her husband. He vowed revenge. He prepared the way for the return of Napoleon from Elba ; and this led to the flight of the Bourbons : and the re- ascending of the throne of France by the exile ; the mustering of a powerful army, and the celebrated battle
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of Waterloo ; the dethroning of Bonaparte and confine- ment on St. Helena ; the condemnation of Ney, and his being shot down by a file of his own men, and his wife distracted. The most loathsome reptile must be the instrument of our parents' fall : and the eating of the forbidden tree the origin of the knowledge of good and evil, and of the overwhelming ills which have deluged the earth. The flooded, ruined, depopulated earth was to be re-peopled with man, animal, and insects of every kind, from an ark prepared by Noah. The hollow, defective trunk of an oak in Hartford, was the place of deposit for the Royal Charter of Connecticut liberty, and which thus escaped the searching eye of tyranny, to blot out the articles of her rights and privileges. The cupidity of a Dutch Sea Captain led to the settlement of New England ; being bribed to land the pilgrims from Holland at a point northeast from that stipulated ; leaving the mouth of the Hudson for the Hollanders to occupy. Thus in causes apparently trivial, the founda- tion was laid for New England's greatness and glory. A hardy, intelligent, and enterprising people, and many of them devoted to the fear of the Lord, sprung from the small band of persecuted pilgrims, who came from England by the way of Holland, and more than two hundred years ago commenced the settlement of New England.
The cupidity of a few land-jobbers over-persuading the government of New York to give permission to demand of the first settlers of this territory, either to re-purchase, or quit their farms, gave rise to Vermont as
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a separate, independent jurisdiction. The first is a matter of curiosity to all ; and ought to be especially so to the youth of this state, and not only of interest and curiosity to them, but they should regard it as a duty to make themselves familiar with the long train of events which followed this unhappy effort to annul the New Hampshire grants ; the measures taken ; the parties con- cerned ; and the difficulties and the evils encountered and suffered.
They should also cultivate an affectionate remem- brance and veneration of the early patriots of their native state. In common with their fellow youth throughout the union, Washington and the signers of the Declaration of Independence should hold the first place in their hearts. But to give them this place, some knowledge of them is necessary : their names, residence, distinctive characters, and their public deeds. A gene- ral knowledge of these pioneers of our country's liberty every youth ought to have. So also with regard to those, who stood forward, the champions of Vermont Independence ; and by self denial and perseverance ; by forbearance and wisdom, with the divine blessing on their efforts succeeded in securing it. Their children, descendants, ought to cherish a remembrance of these men for their deeds and patriotic virtues. They can indeed find none among them who signed the Declara- tion of July 4th, '76, because they were not then known and acknowledged as a state. But they will find among them those, who signed the declaration of the independence of their own state, claiming the same
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privileges and rights as those enjoyed by the rest of the Union. These are the men to be venerated by you not less than those, who proclaimed separation from the mother country, and ordained a government of their own. To do this you must have some knowledge of them, and their deeds; some account of their origin, and characters, and of the incidents through which they passed. Grecian youth, even of the present day, hold in affectionate remembrance Leonidus, who with his three hundred companions fell for his country at the straits of Thermopolæ; and the Jews still venerate David, who slew the boasting Goliah the defier of Israel and the blasphemer of Israel's God. Those then who enlisted their powers of body and mind, and periled every thing dear to them to ward off oppression, and shed their blood in defence of freedom and justice ; that the country you occupy, the hills, vallies and mountains now trod by the feet of freemen, should not be parti- tioned, and their farms taken from them, ought not to be forgotten by you. You ought not suffer their names to
sink into oblivion. But you should feel emulous to perpetuate them, and be able to inform the inquiring traveler or foreigner, whence came the ALLENS, the CHITTENDENS, the CHIPMANS, the FAYS, the BRADLEYS, the ROBINSONS, and others ; where they lived ; what the manly sentiments and resolves which fell from their pens ; the deeds of their hands, and where are their sepulchres.
Important transactions and events of a public nature in which they and their associates bore a part, should be
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interesting to you. Incidents, which in themselves might seem trivial, yet as illustrating their characters, become attractive and should be preserved. A new fact relative to them; or public action of theirs; or patriotic, manly sentiment uttered by them ; or a single instance of personal sacrifice for the cause of justice and human right, sought out by you and reserved from the rust of time, and accumulations of subsequent events, would be more valuable than volumes of future story.
You ought also to be grateful for the heritage left you by these pioneers who have gone to their rest. Youth of Vermont ! Young men of the Green Moun- tains ! have you not abundant reasons for gratitude in view of the inheritance handed down to you by their labors and sacrifices ! You inhabit a goodly land, rich and productive, ample ; affording room for a great people. You have a land of green hills and vallies ; a land of endless variety ; the home of farmers and artisans ; abounding in flocks and herds, and in the noble horse ; the nursery of a hardy race, the birth-place of freemen ; a soil subdued by the hands of the owners ; a country of schools and sanctuaries. Preserve it as a precious boon made ready to your hand by the virtue, hardi- hood, endurance and wisdom of your fathers, grateful that so rich a portion has been meted out to you. Your form of government ; your constitution and laws ; your courts of justice and rights of suffrage, are they not perpetual blessings which should interest the affections of your hearts ; and inspire you with a grateful sense of the
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Divine smiles, which have given you so goodly a heritage, and made you to differ from so many youth of the human family ? Where is the people to whom a greater portion of worldly happiness falls, than to you? In - what place do the youth go forth to the ordinary em- ployments of life with less anxiety, more cheerfulness, and a stronger feeling of security ? Where is the frame- work of society more sound ; and will you not see that the structure shall be carried forward with correspond- ing strength, comeliness and durability ? Holding the medium between overbearing wealth, and abject, servile poverty, you are comparatively a community of equals ; and thus free from the envies and strifes engendered in places of great relative inequalities. The fruits of your industry and enterprise are your own; and you feel little apprehensions of being made the victims of rapine and violence, or of oppression and fraud.
Are not your blessings signal ; and will you not honor the instruments through whom you enjoy them, by estimating their value, and making of them a wise and grateful use? Do they not involve strong obligations on your part, to preserve these distinguished favors unimpaired ?
Surely you cannot deny these obligations. They are as evident as the sun at noon-day ; and it is hoped you feel no desire to evade them; and never will manifest a disposition to disown them, or lessen their force.
A strong motive to the discharge of these obligations, will be a correct understanding of past facts as seen in the records of history ; and history too of the Provi-
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dences of the past, which through the alternations of hope and fear, of despondency and confidence, enabled your forefathers, in the face of many difficulties, and powerful opposition, to secure you the privilege of being called Vermonters, "Green Mountain Boys." You should read and ponder the narrative of sober realities, not fictions, which the first generation of your state experienced in conflict with several powerful states, her neighbors, and with the national government ; brandish- ing if not the weapons of war, the instruments of argu- ment and law, and justice, affixing now and then to their measures the " Beech Seal." These events and facts should be known and retained by you as a matter of history, and belonging to your own state, a distinctive, verdant badge of her coat of arms. You should engage in this business of tracing your way back to the early footsteps of your Commonwealth, not with a view of uncovering the embers of strife, and reviving contention long since hushed in peace. Of the facts you may pos- sess yourselves, without imbibing prejudices against the parties. You are thus invited to turn your attention to this subject, that you may gain a knowledge of these things relative to the early settlement of your state and the establishment of a distinct government, to be ignorant of which would not be reputable, especially to Ver- monters.
Thus the knowledge of the price at which your bles- sings and privileges have been obtained, should operate as a motive to appreciate them duly, and to do all in your power to preserve them and to extend them to the
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generations that shall come after you. Let your coun- try-let your native state be as dear to you as life itself. You will thus be solicitous to exert all your powers, that her standard of excellence may rise higher and higher.
You may do this by mental cultivation, by storing your mind with useful knowledge; diligently improving your leisure hours, and all favorable opportunities to become qualified for the parts, which may fall to you in the drama of life. A small portion of time separated daily to salutary reading and study, will gradually and in a few years furnish you with a fund of knowledge and information, which may prepare you for the most important trusts and employments of society. By the acquisition of learning and science then, and advance- ment in the liberal arts, you may extend the name and praise of your state; and secure for it a glory more durable than that of arms and victory.
The general diffusion of knowledge in a state will be followed with warmer attachments to her institutions and privileges. This will be effected by your efforts ; the united efforts of the young ; by the union of mind with mind ; the generous collision of intellect with intellect, thus eliciting the fire of energetic thought, and the force of eloquent expression. Such means will increase your love to your state ; and have a tendency to lead you to measures and deeds, rendering it reputable and honor- able in the eyes of the people.
A community is made more truly honorable by science and learning, than by the deeds of war and extent of
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her dominions ; or by the ostentation of wealth and luxury. This is evinced, by the histories of all past nations. They are remembered with more veneration for the men of learning and useful knowledge, to whom they gave birth, than for their heroes or even magistrates. The honor of giving birth to Homer has been claimed by several cities ; but what city or province has con- tended for the honor of producing Alexander or Cæsar ? Relative to the first Alexander, the only contention about his birth, was whether he was the son of Philip, or of Jupiter in the form of a serpent, which was said to have been seen in his mother's bed-chamber. Is the birth-place of Napoleon an object of more curiosity, than that of Shakespeare, or John Milton, the author of Paradise Lost.
If then even a few literary men have procured lasting renown to their country, how great the honor of the land, whose entire youthful population should be well educated? This is a glory left, it is hoped, to our country, and your beloved state ; the glory of the dis- trict school system, and the public provision for the instruction of all, the children of the poor as well as of the rich.
In this way also, by your united efforts in the pursuit of learning, you may be instrumental in the formation of a national literature. Foreigners have reproached us with making up a patch-work of letters, borrowed from various sources and destitute of national traits. Before pleading guilty to this charge, the question [what consti- tutes a national literature ?] ought first to be decided.
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If it be a literature corresponding with the civil and religious institutions of a country, and producing an enthusiastic attachment to them, have we not such a literature ? Is it not guided yet by the same spirit, which moved the pen of Dwight and others during the Revolution in the patriotic writings and songs, which animated the soul, and strengthened the arm of the soldier in that glorious struggle for liberty and indepen- dence? The battle field and council chamber of that period are consecrated spots, to which the youth of our country turn with enthusiasm ; and a succinct record of the events, which marked those times of trial, and the parts taken in the contest by the several states, would aid in inspiring the youthful mind with veneration for the heroes and statesmen of our Independence. The his- tories and writings which duly delineate the past events of our country, and of the state to which we belong ; and give a correct account of our government and laws, our liberties and religious institutions, the manners, cus- toms, and characters of the people, inspiring a strong love of our native land, are conversant with national literature. It is absurd to call any other national, but the literature which has reference to our country's institutions ; the character and pursuits of its inhabi- tants ; the nature of its government and laws, its religion, and the transactions which have resulted from its con- nexion with other nations of the earth.
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